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Structure of Canadian economy could provide some insulation against AI job losses

Published: 11 December 2025

The conversation around AI and automation has taken a sharper turn. A US Senate report released by Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders in Fall 2025 cautioned that over the coming decade, AI and automation could destroy 100 million jobs in the United States.

But will Canada experience something similar? Maybe not, according to Simon Blanchette, a lecturer at 91 Desautels. “As an economy, Canada and the US are structured very differently,” Blanchette told HR Reporter.

We're an SME backbone economy compared to the U.S., which is almost 50-50 with large corporations.” That distinction matters. In Canada, the shift toward AI may unfold more gradually. Some roles could be reshaped dramatically, but others may see only modest change. The result: a slower, steadier transition compared to the upheaval predicted south of the border.  

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